See a 40-foot chariot pulled through Novi during Sunday's Festival of Chariots

VIDEO - Novi's 2017 Festival of Chariots makes its way down Taft Road as hundreds of Hindus and guests pull its 30 foot-tall chariot and chant and sing.
video by John Heider

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The chariot being pulled along the route was so tall, around 35 feet, that its spire needed to be contracted to make it under the utility lines at Ten and Taft.(Photo: JOHN HEIDER | hometownlife.com)Buy Photo

The annual festival and parade rooted in the Hindu faith returns Sunday, July 22, to Novi and will bring thousands along the parade route. A local version of the festival held in India, it marks the one time during the year the Lord Jagganath leaves the temple and goes out into the world.

The festival will see a 40-foot tall chariot get pulled through the streets of Novi, beginning at the Civic Center before heading west on 10 Mile, south on Taft to Nine Mile before coming back up Taft and ending at Fuerst Park, 45325 W. 10 Mile. At the park, festival-goers can expect a vegetarian meal, cooking demonstrations, dancing, yoga and plenty of other activities to enjoy.

Mahadevan, a member at the ISKCON Detroit temple, said the festival is a wonderful community celebration that attracts all types of people. He said while the festival is religious in nature, the celebration is all about bringing the community together.

"For all of us, this festival is important because it gives us the ability to bond together," he said. "When we do service, we're always going to be happy. We all enjoy serving people."

In addition, the Kirtan Yoga Fest runs 2-6 p.m. and will feature artists such as Grammy-nominated Gaura Mani and others performing. The festival wraps up at 6 p.m.

Plenty of area residents come and check the festival out, including those who don't know anything about the Hindu faith. Mahadevan said he's met several people at previous festivals who came back after having a good time.

"We want them to come because they want to experience happiness," he said. "I can guarantee you anyone who comes will experience some happiness."

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Dancers lead the procession of the hand-hauled chariot during the July 23 Rath Yatra Festival in Novi. The festival, which is celebrated worldwide and originated in the Indian city of Puri, involves moving deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana on a chariot or ratha. Novi's Hindu festival went from 11 a.m. until about 5 p.m. a Fuerst Park and included the parade, dancing, meditation and yoga sessions, a free vegetarian feast and vendors with clothing and books for sale.
JOHN HEIDER | hometownlife.com

Maha Mantra Das, right, leads a meditation exercise during the Rath Yatra Festival. Das makes his home in D.C. now, but used to live in Farmington and considers it important to return to Novi for its Festival of Chariots.
JOHN HEIDER | hometownlife.com